Digitalis as an indicant of ventricular disease.

existed in the past, it now seems to be generally accepted that following digitalization, the repolarization phase of the electrocardiogram is influenced to a greater extent in the presence of heart disease than in its absence.’ ” In the normal heart after digitalis, the typical modification of the ST-T segment is usually seen in leads reflecting the potential variations of the epicardial surface of the left ventricle. These are a shortened QT interval, sagging of the ST segment and a lowered T wave amplitude. It has been suggested that digitalization might uncover previously unsuspected electrocardiographic abnormalities and that these may differ in left, as compared to right ventricular disease. To evaluate more carefully these changes, two groups of patients receiving digitalis were studied for the ST and T vectors. One group had essential hypertension; the other rheumatic mitral valvular disease.